Wed, Nov 15: Open Admission Chat with MBA Expert of Applicant Lab

Live from MBA Chat...

Q: Your thoughts on how some of the older applicants (8.5 yrs work Ex) best position themselves in the applications ? Are some schools strict on this above average work ex criteria in your view?
Maria: Older candidates face an uphill battle, since there are concerns that they are too "set in their ways", and also because the majority of post-MBA employers are looking for young, naive talent that is willing to work 100+ hr weeks and not complain, ha ha. My advice is to cast a wider net to find schools with older avg ages, and/or broader age ranges. In the application, state why you waited so long to apply (e.g. a relatively recent project that made you say: "AHA! I need an MBA!") and position your experience as a strength that can benefit your classmates....e.g. if you have managed difficult team situations, or helped guide the company’s path, then that is a plus that you can share with others in the cohort.


Q: Can I have a short-term goal to work for a company that doesn’t usually recruit from the B school I am targetting? Will I be at a disadvantage if I mentioned such a goal in my application?...What I basically want to know is that if B schools give preference to the employability of the candidate for their employment stats?
Maria: I do think this is a bit risky, since employment stats are so important in rankings, and also in alumni happiness. No school wants to graduate someone who’s going to complain about the school’s career services dept on message boards like this one. I would therefore present sort of a "Plan B", like "I will seek a role in ____ at a company that does X, such as [Company that recruits at school], or perhaps [smaller company that does not recruit at school." If it’s not a recruiting company, is there SOME link to the schoool? Perhaps Geographic location, or was it founded by the school’s alums? If not, then be prepared to devote space CLEARLY explaining HOW , *exactly*, you plan to get hired at that firm. Networking? Etc. The burden of proof is much higher on you in the application, since in real life you will need to do a lot more work to get that job

If you have any questions regarding MBA applicants, join us in the chat here... https://gmatclub.com/forum/mchat.php?fl=menu Maria will be in the chat for next 1.5 hours